Arsenal vs Watford: Predicted starting XI for crucial clash

Make that six in a row for Arsenal as they head into this crucial fixture against Watford. Here is how they are likely to line up in this battle for the top five.

Arsenal are looking to make it seven wins in a row against Watford, and their momentum is quite high and mighty. They dispatched of Brentford in the League Cup, which is no small feat after seeing Manchester United drop to Oxford United and Burnley bounced by Burton.

The Gunners won 3-1 to proceed into the next round and Watford were dealt their helping of vengeance from Tottenham, who the Hornets beat in the Premier League earlier in the year, but lost in penalties in the League Cup.

But none of that matters. All that matters is the current match-up in the Premier League, pairing the Gunners up with the Hornets. The winner stays in the top 5, the loser doesn’t (barring a Tottenham loss to pair with a Watford loss).

Arsenal will want to get out to a good start, unlike what happened against Everton. They’ll look to avoid pressure, keep their own pressure on their visitors, and score quickly, while hoping against all hope that their defense and keeper don’t screw up (like they are prone to do).

So let’s talk about how the hosts will line up. We start where we always do, in the net.

Keeper

Petr Cech had his best match in an Arsenal shirt in quite some time against Everton. Matched up against several situations where he was isolated, Cech stood up against everything, cleaning up for his sloppy defense and not making any mistakes himself.

He was an easy man of the match because, without him, not only do the Gunners not keep their first clean sheet, but they also go down 3-0 by half time. It would have been a completely different game without Cech.

Bernd Leno has every right to crave the starting role, but he really hasn’t earned it yet, unfortunately. Even if he should “by rights” have the role, whatever that means.

On to the fullbacks.